In the recent write-minded podcast episode Craft-minded series: Craft as Shaper of Story, featuring Morgan Talty the cohost, Grant Faulkner, made the following insightful comment:
A quilt is a good metaphor for a collection of linked stories…
Grant Faulkner
Indeed he is correct, but I wonder if this metaphor can also extend to encompass novels?
Consider this: A quilt is, in one sense, a two dimensional linear structure, created with flexible, thin, square cloth “blocks.” Isn’t this similar to the linear, connected nature of plot in which chapters and scenes acting as flexible blocks?
But a quilt also has three dimensional structure, allowing it to be folded over, with blocks touching other non-adjacent blocks. Who doesn’t like a good novel which folds upon itself? Aren’t scenes in great novels often structural connected in non-linear—and dare I say, pushing the metaphor to its limit, extra-dimensional—ways?
And what about a quilt’s purpose and its ultimate mission: to keep one warm and cozy? Guess what else keeps one warm and cozy? A great novel!
Anyway, I suspect the quilt-novel metaphor can go even deeper (for example, what is the story behind each square of cloth?) but let me leave this thread of thought alone for now.
Let me just say this: the write-minded podcast, with its powerhouse hosts Grant Faulkner and Brooke Warner and combined with their exceptional guests ( all exceptional writers) is a rich source for listeners to gain a better understanding of the art and craft needed to achieve writing excellence.